AKParhamI have tried many medications/treatments... Topamax, Lyrica, Famvir, Carbatrol, Carbatrol + Baclofen, and acupuncture. None have worked. I have had PHN in my face for about a year now, and the only thing that sometimes helps is Percocet (makes me very, very ill). Any suggestions? I know I haven't tried tricyclic antidepressants or Neurontin yet.
Postherpetic Neuralgia - Has anyone had success with curing their PHN?
- Posted:
- 8 Nov 2010 by AKParham
- Topics:
- carbatrol, famvir, lyrica, topamax, persisting pain, shingles, neuralgia, baclofen, postherpetic neuralgia
Details:
Responses (7)
suzanne6613 Dec 2010
There is no single treatment that relieves postherpetic neuralgia in all people. In many cases, it may take a combination of treatments to reduce the pain.
Antidepressants such as nortriptyline and amitriptyline affect key brain chemicals that play a role in both depression and how your body interprets pain.
Anti-seizure medications also can lessen the pain associated with postherpetic neuralgia. These medications stabilize abnormal electrical activity in your nervous system caused by injured nerves. Doctors may prescribe gabapentin (Neurontin), pregabalin (Lyrica) or another anticonvulsant to help control burning and pain.
They are worth trying.
All the best.
angryfrank1 Apr 2011
In my experience, none of the "neurological" drug benefits outweighed their significant side effects. I couldn't recall the breed of my dog when someone asked me when I was on Lyrica. Neurontin is very bad for your dental health care - very bad. And it's not as effective as Lyrica. Many people react badly to Percocet; I would get to a pain management specialist who can try another drug more suitable to you... for instance, many people with chronic PHN use Norco or Vicodin without the stomach trauma caused by Percocet. Everyone is different, but I would suggest trying Vicodin. And hypnotherapy can definitely help as well. Unfortunately, I've come across no "cure" after 8 years with a very severe case around my midsection. Best of luck to you. Get to a Pain Manager...
Junielle22 Dec 2011
Hi, AK, You sound frustrated. I have PHN also (12 years) and feel for you, with your pain, your life going haywire, and the way pain patients are often made to feel these days by the very professionals trained to help!
I would recommend using the best sources you have, to get to the best possible pain doc. Incidentally, It is not safe to use acetaminophen (Tylenol) with opiates or alone, due to the liver toxicity. My current PHN treatment includes a treatment with 8% capsaisin patches - takes about 3 hours to prep the area with lidocaine cream, then placing the patches. So far, this treatment has calmed all the nerve endings in my left chest and all around to the thoracic spine. I am still taking the other meds: Oxycontin, sleep meds, Celexa and Neurontin, 100 mg. Benefit expected to last 90 days, after which, an expected treatment at the 3 month time.
After 12 years of persistent pain, level 7-8, disturbed sleep and buckets of misery, I have had RELIEF! Hope is crucial. I believe you will find relief.
Junielle
roxbjane
11 Jan 2012
My Mom's pain management specialist offered treatment with the Capsaicin patches, but had absolutely no feedback from other patients to share with us. She is 87 and was healthy as a horse until shingles at age 85 and has PHN in the right hip for 16 months. Do you base your success mostly on the Capsaicin? Is the treatment painful? Thanks for any advice...
7 May 2012
acupuncture has brought great relief. In fact has brought the most relief over time. non-traditional therapies. additional courses of acyclovir due to return of rash has helped. for traditional therapies prescription strength advil can help, as can tramadol however I prefer to avoid tramadol. Good sleep habits. Good nerve support: Hyland's Nerve Tonic (available Rite Aid, CVS, Vitamin Shoppe, etc). Having fun and relaxation is important. Good sleep habits. Light exercise (which can trigger it) can also help but do it in support mode - do not over do. Vitamin support - multi's, B's, C, calcium, iron and supplements (Omega's). Good nutrition. Dehumidifying can help if living in damp climate (I do). Get plenty of rest and take it easy. Also talking with someone who has been through any kind of severe physical pain can help in discharging stress and can learn from them what worked for them.
roxbjane
Sweetrose
29 Nov 2012
Hi roxbjane. I could NOT post on your question re your elederly mother's 16 month ordeal with post hepartic neuralgia [PHN] - so I am POSTING HERE. My mother is 81 and has had PHN for 12 months. And yes, we have tried everything!!! [incl. capsacain], gabapentin, tramadol, oxycodone, and more, plus ALL topical ointments to help her. Nothing worked well, or had extreme side effects]. She is now trying Lyrica [pregablin] - and says the pain has eased enough for her to do [some] things around the house, and pulling weeds in her garden!!! - I think it takes one to two weeks to feel better - AND dosage can be increased, depending on your mum's size and health. [My mum has always been very small and thin.] But she has always been a 'tiger' to physically 'do' things, inspite of living with life-long pain:- [polio at 8 yrs; osteoporosis; broken nearly every bone; hip replacement; crushed back vertebrae etc. etc.
TangoAnn
Alexandera
2 Jul 2012
I am currently taking 1500 mg of Neurtontin daily, as well as 60 mg of Cymbalta. I had also been taking Elavil, but found I could not tolerate it, i.e. I could not function cognitively at work. While the pain has increased since stopping the Elavil, at least my head is clear. But bottom line is the pain is still there 24/7 at a level of 5 to 8. I'm at a loss as to what else to do at this point. It's been 3 years.
AKParham
16 Jul 2012
I have tried more acupuncture, Indomethacin (made my pain MUCH worse!), stellate ganglion blocks, steroid occipital blocks... I'm not sure if this is still PHN or some kind of facial neuralgia. Right now I am doing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. I have learned how to breathe to relax while I'm having intense pain, focus on other things. Before trying this, I wouldn't have thought it was possible. I'm also on 200mg of Lamotrigine a day. One or both of these things are helping!
sunshine110914 Nov 2012
In 1996 I developed a case of shingles, which left me with postherpetic neuralgia. My shingles was in the center of my chest through to my back just to the left of my spine, crescent shaped rash front and back and the most severe pain. I thought before the rash that it was my heart, few days later the rash appeared. Since then, in 2008 I underwent a Cervical Laminectomy for Syringomyelia in my spinal cord at levels C3 - T2. This left me with a good bit of nerve damage, about 60% of my body, mostly left side and midsection, down left leg to my foot. I have said all this to say that I was referred to a concerned and caring pain doctor at a pain center. I have been on Lyrica for the nerve pain and Cymbalta for fibromyalgia pain. Now I take Gabapentin and also Pramipexole for restless legs. I can sympathize with anyone who suffers with pain of any kind. Recently my doctor at the center suggested that I do a "Spinal Cord Stimulator" trial for 3 days.
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Frank,
Your answer really alarms me, particularly how long you have suffered with PHN. I have had it for 2.5 years on left side--from neck, front and back of shoulders, down arm to finger tips. It is actualy getting worse--I've had 3 days in a row at level 8 pain. I've tried lyrica (allergic to it), neurotin, elavil, cymbalta and tramadol. Just recently, 8 sessions of acupuncture. (Oh, and site injection and a nerve block.) A visit to a pain management clinic last week was thoroughly disheartening. Told me to add Vicodin to my routine when needed, and see my PCP for an anti-depressant or anti-anxiety medication as a supplement. I am not despressed or anxious--I'm in constant pain! Maybe I just need to find a better pain management clinic. Despite how I feel, I can't give up.